Joy in the Journey

For nearly the last month now my husband has been working 80 hour weeks.  I feel badly that he hasn't seen much of our family.   And then sometimes I shamefully feel badly for myself, even though I would never wish to switch him positions.  My place is here.  It may be the most challenging job I've ever had, but it's raising my people.  Therefore, there is much rewarding and satisfying that comes from my occupation.

Lately, I have been trying to prepare myself and my family better for the Holy Sabbath.  A couple weekends ago I prepared almost everything we would need for the Sabbath day the night before.  Our meetings begin at 1130 on Sunday.  That morning we had some spare time and the kids and I (husband at work) wandered down a trail nearby.  We brought bread for the fish and turtles, a school backpack?, and Perry the Platypus.  We collected rocks along the way.  Boys are so funny.  I always find rocks in the washing machine after I wash a load of their clothing.  So now we have lots of clean, shiny rocks.  ;-) 

The previous week and weekend had been stressful and this little trip into Nature was just what we all needed.  It was quiet and peaceful.  We passed by only one other on the trail. We heard nothing other than our own voices and the birds singing.

We don't like to be uncomfortable, pushed out of our normal schedules, do we?  For some, when the pressure is on we find ourselves performing our best.  Trials, and even simply, change stretch us and provide opportunity to grow spiritually.  I have prayed for increased patience and endurance to make it through these last few weeks and I've felt that added strength.  I didn't want to simply make it through the week - frazzled, disorganized, or angry with my children.  I wanted to make it the best I could for them.  They miss their Dad.  The house remained in decent enough shape, homework completed, Valentines made, and peace (for the most part) was kept - sometimes strictly enforced. Until last night.  I think I suddenly hit my breaking point.  Right before bedtime.  Urgh - hate when I lose it!  I apologized and they did what children do so well: immediately dismissing their hurt feelings and forgiving me without further thought.  They are amazing.  I love them.  
 
"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."

President Thomas S. Monson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Here we go again

Although the gardening here has been continuous, my blogging hasn't been so steady.  I hate to be inconsistent.  I enjoy posting our little garden happenings.

I've decided I need a gardening journal.  My Florida Gardening book has notes illegibly scribbled throughout.  My handwriting has never been neat, and it's hit an all-time elementary school boy low {no offense males}.  And, those marginal margins just aren't cutting it. Every growing season brings new ideas, mistakes to amend, sketched garden layouts, and much more than the minimal white of my book pages can hold.

Here are the green beginnings of rainbow carrots.  Next post you will see two and a half months worth of growth.  It is a whole lot greener now!

Last fall my carrots, along with other root vegetables, had a difficult time growing in my garden.  I'm still unsure if that was something I did or didn't do, or maybe my soil??  This year I tried containers and the outcome is much better than last year's.  * Note for future garden journal * --  NEED many more containers for next years carrots!  I am anxious to pull these babies out of the garden and see the beautiful spectrum of colors.  I'm hoping they continue to grow as they should.  I have noticed some colors peeking through the soil beneath the carrot foliage.  Fingers are crossed here.

The children are also growing well.  Just as gardening is an ongoing experiment and learning experience, so is raising a child.  Sometimes our parental methods have to be switched up, and new strategies tried.  Each child is different.  What works for one may not work for another.  Too bad kids don't come with instructions as my seeds packets do.  I guess that is part of the fun of parenting.  When you were a child did you ever like to pick the brown paper surprise grab bag?  I did.  You just never know what you're gonna get. 

 

Last year the kale failed, and we were very disappointed.  Two years ago it was like a weed we couldn't control.  Well, I'm happy to say I'm feeling good about this years' kale.  I think last year was too warm, halting our vegetables' growth.  We've had some cooler days this time around and I think it is making all the difference. 

We harvested 16 satsumas last month!  That's right, 16.  I had to count -- because each one of those satsumas meant so much to us.  Lame, I know.  But our tree is young and gave us one lonely satsuma the previous year.  We were thrilled when these sixteen grew.  We took our time with them and enjoyed them. (Well, as much as we could with little ones jumping up and down, tugging at our clothes, while we peeled them.)

Pictures to come soon of the garden -  two and a half months in....

Caine's Arcade

Speaking of sprouting GOODNESS...

This is a beautiful story about one man's kindness to a little boy.  What a rippling effect his kindness has had on that boy, and all those who hear his story.  You can also go here for more on Caine's Arcade.

* sorry about the size of the player.  If you look to the bottom right corner of the player you can click on the youtube symbol to get the bigger picture. You can also go to the website listed above to see it.